Digital hygiene is a set of regular actions that protect your data and devices. Just as handwashing prevents illness, simple habits prevent most cyberattacks.
Why It Matters
95% of successful attacks exploit human factors: weak passwords, outdated software, careless clicks on links. Technical protections are useless if the user opens the door for attackers themselves.
Good news: basic habits block most threats. Sophisticated attacks target large companies and require serious resources. Regular users just need to avoid being easy targets.
1. Unique Passwords for Every Service
Problem: Same password everywhere. A store database leak, and the attacker gains access to your email, social media, bank.
Solution: Separate complex password for each account. A password manager generates and remembers them for you.
Minimum requirements:
- 12+ characters
- Letters, numbers, special characters
- No dictionary words or dates
Recommended managers: Bitwarden (free), 1Password, KeePassXC.
2. Two-Factor Authentication
Problem: Even a strong password can be stolen through phishing or data breaches.
Solution: Second verification factor - code from an app or hardware key.
Priority for enabling:
- Email (other accounts are recovered through it)
- Banking apps
- Social media and messengers
- Cloud storage
Important: SMS codes are a weak second factor. Apps (Google Authenticator, Authy) are more reliable.
3. Regular Updates
Problem: Vulnerabilities in old software versions are the main entry point for automated attacks.
Solution: Update your operating system, browser, and apps as soon as updates are released.
Update priorities:
- Operating system
- Browser
- Router (firmware)
- Antivirus
- Office software
Tip: Enable automatic updates wherever possible.
4. Backups Using the 3-2-1 Rule
Problem: Ransomware, disk failure, device theft - data lost forever.
Solution: The 3-2-1 rule:
- 3 copies of data
- On 2 different media types
- 1 copy offsite (cloud or another location)
What to back up:
- Documents and photos
- Password manager databases
- Important settings and configurations
Frequency: Automatically daily or at least manually weekly.
5. Check Links Before Clicking
Problem: Phishing emails imitate banks, stores, government services. One click, and your data is stolen.
Solution: Hover over links to check the actual address. Don’t follow links from emails - open the site manually.
Signs of phishing:
- Urgency (“Your account is locked!”)
- Strange sender address
- Text errors
- Domain mismatch in the link
6. Minimize Personal Information Online
Problem: Social media data is used for password guessing, security question answers, social engineering.
Solution: Limit public information.
Don’t publish:
- Full birth date
- Home address
- Phone number
- Regular locations
- Photos of documents and tickets
7. Separate Accounts
Problem: Work email for personal registrations, one Google account for everything - a breach affects everything at once.
Solution: Different accounts for different purposes.
| Category | Separate email |
|---|---|
| Work | work@… |
| Personal | personal@… |
| Shopping and newsletters | shopping@… |
| Finance | finance@… |
8. Device Encryption
Problem: Lost or stolen phone/laptop - access to all data.
Solution: Enable full-disk encryption.
- Windows: BitLocker (Pro) or VeraCrypt
- macOS: FileVault (enabled by default)
- Android: Settings → Security → Encryption
- iOS: Enabled by default with passcode
9. App Permission Audit
Problem: A flashlight app with access to contacts, microphone, and location.
Solution: Regularly review permissions and revoke unnecessary ones.
Critical permissions:
- Camera
- Microphone
- Location
- Contacts
- Files
Review frequency: Monthly or when updating an app.
10. Secure Connections on Public Networks
Problem: WiFi in cafes, hotels, airports - an open channel for data interception.
Solution: VPN encrypts all traffic between your device and the internet.
When to enable:
- Public WiFi networks
- Unfamiliar networks
- When working with important data
Digital Hygiene Checklist
Daily
- Don’t click suspicious links
- Verify website addresses before entering data
- Enable VPN on public networks
Weekly
- Check for system and app updates
- Verify backups are working
Monthly
- Audit app permissions
- Review active sessions in accounts
- Remove unused apps
Yearly
- Change passwords for critical accounts
- Review privacy settings in social media
- Audit connected services and apps
Summary
Digital hygiene isn’t paranoia - it’s reasonable precaution. Ten simple habits protect against 95% of typical threats. Start with a password manager and two-factor authentication - maximum effect with minimum effort.
Tainet is part of your digital hygiene. Connection protection on any network with one tap.
